Video Shares Controversial Hack for Checking Ice Cream Freshness in Store

A video viewed nearly three million times since it was shared in December 2021 gave viewers some insight into how they can check whether ice cream is fresh, but their opinions were divided.

First shared by TikTok user @lilhonikkko, a woman reacted to the advice in a different video and shared the clip on her Instagram page as recently as late May.

@lilhonikkko compared the color of vanilla ice cream found in two different clear tubs and said he could tell which ice cream melted and refroze. Though some found the tip helpful, others were more dubious.

According to Kitchn, there are a few reasons someone should not refreeze ice cream that already melted.

One reason is that the ice cream can lose air, which gives the dessert its creamy texture.

"When it melts, the air is lost," the organization stated. "So when you stick it back in the freezer, it refreezes into a dense block—you'd have to re-churn it in order to get some of that air back."

Additionally, the ice cream can develop a grainy texture.

And, it could be unsafe to eat.

"Just like any dairy product, if left out at room temperature or warmer for an extended period of time, harmful bacteria could begin to grow," the piece by Kitchn stated.

@lilhonikkko propped two tubs of vanilla ice cream on their sides to show the bottom of the tubs. While one tub's ice cream had a more smooth and yellow tone to it, the other was stark white.

"This one is going to be hard because it's already been melted," @lilhonikkko said as he pointed to the whiter ice cream. "This one is still fresh. Look at the difference."

TikToker Takeaways

Comments were split over whether @lilhonikkko's tip was helpful, particularly as it came to the brand of ice cream.

"Lmao you judging 5 pounds of $2.00 ice cream?" a viewer asked.

"Great hack for cheap ice cream that ONLY comes in clear containers," wrote another. "What's the hack for good ice cream?"

Others pointed out that shoppers would not be able to use the same tip if they were interested in purchasing ice cream that came in a carton.

"I can't see the bottom of blue bell," commented a TikTok user.

Some suggested the appearance of the ice cream related to how the product was packaged instead of the ice cream melting and refreezing.

However, a few viewers wrote that they found the tip helpful.

"I never knew this," one wrote.

"Omg nice, good to know," another commented.

Newsweek reached out to @lilhonikkko for further comment.

Others have shared their tips and hacks on the internet.

A bowl designed with an inward fold went viral on Reddit after it was demonstrated to be useful for chips and dip.

One video posted by a food influencer showed how someone can revive stale bread.

While some tips have been helpful, others could be dangerous.

A viral video that has since been deleted from TikTok showed whole avocados submerged in water and stored in the refrigerator to keep them "fresh" for up to a month. However, the Food and Drug Administration warned that it has the potential to harbor harmful bacteria.